The Sutter-Meyer SocietyThe Sutter-Meyer Society

Mission Statement

Mission of the Sutter-Meyer Society The 1873 Sutter-Meyer farmhouse in University City, Missouri is listed on the National Register of Historic Place. The Sutter-Meyer Society (SMS) was founded by community volunteers to preserve the farmhouse so it ... Read more

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Mission Statement

Mission of the Sutter-Meyer Society The 1873 Sutter-Meyer farmhouse in University City, Missouri is listed on the National Register of Historic Place. The Sutter-Meyer Society (SMS) was founded by community volunteers to preserve the farmhouse so it can be enjoyed by the people of University City and the St. Louis metropolitan area.

The Sutter-Meyer Society is committed to: converting this farmhouse into an fully accessible community museum where visitors can learn about the history of the St. Louis region through rotating exhibits and events on a wide variety of topics; making the farmhouse a center for education for people of all ages; to building partnerships within the region so that this farmhouse museum becomes an acknowledged community asset; and to inspire people to pay attention to the stories of the past to enrich their present.

Description

In September of 2006 a number of University City residents met to talk about ideas for the Sutter-Meyer house, the oldest building in University City, which is owned by the City of University City. They became the first members of the Sutter-Meyer Society (SMS). The goal of the founding members of the SMS was to renovate the 1873 farmhouse to become a community museum, where visitors will be able to learn about the history of University City, St. Louis County, and the St. Louis metropolitan area through rotating exhibits. They also hoped to work closely with the School District of University City on educational programming tied to the farmhouse itself and to the changing shows and exhibits.

The Sutter-Meyer Society is well on its way to reaching those goals. Since 2006 almost 300 people have become Friends of the Sutter-Meyer Society. SMS has incorporated in the State of Missouri and received its 501(c()3) non-profit status from the IRS; has finalized a long-term lease on the building with the City of University City; has received a grant from the State of Missouri's Historic Preservation Office; was chosen to take part in a state-wide program for smaller museums, sponsored by the Mid-America Arts Alliance; and has started completed the initial strategic, fund raising and facilities plans.

The organization continues to do the work needed to bring the building up to code. The first exhibit will open to the public in May 2011.